Josh, an American veteran who suffers from  PTSD shows off his baby Emma in this black and white portrait by artist Susan J. Barron. Image: Susan J. Barron

ART NEWS:  In a new show at HG Contemporary, artist Susan J. Barron takes on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other issues affecting American soldiers and veterans.

BY KAZA

NEW YORK, NY— Fourteen military veterans, who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are at the center of an exhibition at the HG Contemporary on November 9. Titled Depicting the Invisible: American Veterans Suffering From PTSD, the exhibition will feature a series of large-scale portraits of American veterans by artist Susan J. Barron.

The oversized black-and-white photographic portraits include the veteran’s traumatic stories. They are inscribed around the portraits in a way that illuminates the trauma of war or terrorism.

Susan’s focus on the veterans comes from recent data showing that ’22 veterans commit suicide every day in our country’ due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other invisible illness.  Additionally, over 10% of military families live below the poverty line.

Although some of these veterans sustained physical injuries, the focus is on their mental health. “When I got back from Iraq, I’d have this one recurring nightmare—I had to watch my buddy die,” recalls one of the veterans depicted in the photograph.

Susan J. Barron photographs are elegant and in total contrasts with the brutality of the narratives told by the war heroes. However, the works bring attention to the veterans, initiating a conversation around the sensitive issue of PTSD.  “The invisible wounds of war are just as devastating as the visible ones,” notes Barron.

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As part of the celebrations of the veterans represented in the large-scale paintings, a private gallery reception will take place on Veterans Day.  During the ceremony, Barron will be selling a book of the portrait series. Proceeds from the sale will benefit organizations that support veterans’ causes. The exhibition will also toast Services for the Underserved, an organization that supports veterans in their struggles with PTSD and mental health. The organization is excited that veterans issues are coming to the fore in the exhibition.

A graduate of Boston University, Susan studied art at the Art Institute of San Francisco and Yale School for the Arts. Her paintings, both figurative and politically motivated, have been exhibited in galleries in the United States and across the globe.  She is the founder of The Pencil Promise, an organization that helps make education available for children in need.

 Depicting the Invisible, at HG Contemporary, runs from November 9 through November 26, 2018.